Police rescue 29 kidnap victims, arrest 34 foreign nationals in Benue

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the command’s monthly operational report to journalists at the police headquarters in Makurdi.

He attributed the successes to intelligence-led operations and collaboration among security agencies, community security groups and local hunters.

The rescued victims included four passengers abducted by gunmen along the Uzer village axis of Ayilamo-Tse-Abi Road in Logo Local Government Area on October 5.

Nwadiogbu said the police worked with Operation Whirl Stroke, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and local hunters to secure their release.

On October 7, security operatives rescued 17 farmers abducted from Tse-Acha and Tse-Wuam communities in Bamun village, Tombo District, also in Logo LGA.

The commissioner added that eight other victims, including a Catholic priest, regained their freedom after gunmen abducted them along Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on October 13.

Nwadiogbu said the command arrested 34 foreign nationals in two separate operations during the month.

He explained that operatives apprehended 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo Local Government Area on October 9 after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents.

In a separate operation on October 22, police intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam while they were reportedly travelling to Ikom in Cross River State.

The suspects remain in custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status. The police commissioner said the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant authorities would help determine the circumstances of their entry into Nigeria and movements within the country.

He added that investigations into the cases were ongoing.

The commissioner also reported the arrest of several suspects in operations targeting suspected cultists and other alleged criminals in Naka, Makurdi, Aliade and Gwer East.

Items recovered included seven locally made firearms, 16 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, charms, mobile phones and ATM cards.

Nwadiogbu further disclosed that security operatives killed a suspected bandit during a gun battle along Amaafu-Abaji Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on October 2.

He said Operation Zenda operatives recovered a locally fabricated firearm after the encounter.

The police commissioner urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat crime across the state.

He stressed that public cooperation remained essential to preventing criminal activities and protecting lives and property.